Awaken Community

This morning, Micah clarifies what we believe generosity is and what it isn't. This isn't a cry for money as it can often be when you hear the subject of a sermon is generosity. It's a way of us being together after shrinking back, closing in, and shutting down due to the pandemic. In many ways, we have to relearn what it looks like to be generous with each other again.

In the second week of our Proximate series, we wanted to acknowledge the process some of the grief and loss that we've experienced since we last met. And in this practice, learn how to be Jesus and embody the Lord's comfort to each another. 

This Sunday was our first gathering back together in person in the building. 16 months, 73 weeks, 508 days since our last gathering.  With this series, we're focusing on what it looks like to be together, next to each other in the pews once again.

This week's final teaching of our Lost in Translation series is from the New Testament. 1 Corinthians 11 is about how women should wear head coverings in worship. Could this scripture actually mean the opposite of what we've mostly heard?

Heading back to the Old Testament this week for Lost in Translation, taking a look at the role hospitality plays in community and even in healing relationships.

Aaaaaand here's another doozy. As potentially problematic as this passage has been for many, the Great Commission is our scripture for this week. Micah jumps into pulling the threads and differentiating between consent and conquest. 

Another great week of Lost in Translation with Micah. This week, it's the story of Tamar in Genesis 38. Micah takes on a couple misconceptions about the scripture and offers some different ideas and takes to consider. 

This week, we’re discussing Romans 13. It may not seem like an obvious choice for Lost in Translation on the surface, but it's been used to rationalize so much that is the opposite of the way of Jesus in the world.

We're jumping in full force with this summer's Lost in Translation series with Judges 19. It's one of those scriptures you read and think "What the what?!" But Micah shows us what we can glean from it and how it applies to where we find ourselves today.   Surgeon General's Warning: Not suitable to listen with children present. Also, this content might be triggering for victims of sexual trauma.

This week we're finishing up our Wells + Fences series with Freedom in Christ. It's the final part of the picture of what kind of community we want to be and look like. 

This title might bring up memories of the Left Behind series, but in this case we're talking about revelation in the way that something or someone reveals themselves. Namely, God. How has God revealed themself before and are they continuing to do it today?

On this Pentecost Sunday, we continue the Wells & Fences series with the sometimes complicated topic of the Holy Spirit. 

In the third week of our Wells & Fences series, Micah talks about the idea that how we believe what we believe is just as important as what we believe.

This week's teaching is a lot about how we believe what we believe. How do we want hold our beliefs and values and at the same time welcome questions and curiosity?

Over the next 6 weeks we'll revisit Micah's favorite teachings - Wells & Fences. If you've been around Awaken for awhile, this series will sound a little different. And if you're new to Awaken - welcome! This approach to building a community is at the heart of who we are as a church.

We're honored to welcome Earl Milton back to the Awaken Community stage to share what he would like to say to the church in this season.

Our second guest speaker is Joel Warne, a spiritual director and author. His letter to the church begins with John 16:33.

This week begins our new series of guest speakers called Dear Church, an extension of our last series The Power of a Letter. If you were to write a letter to the church, at large and within Awaken, what would you say? Our first guest is Rev. Kelly Chatman and his message today begins with "Don't get comfortable." So you know you're in for an inspiring word this morning.    

In typical Awaken style, Micah takes a different approach to the standard Easter teaching. In John 17, Jesus prays his longest recorded prayer as he's nearing the cross. What does this prayer show us is most important to Jesus? And how do we step into the invitation given?

There are things that may seem obvious but must be said out loud. Micah dives into the letters of Barth and Bonhoeffer and what they have to show us about our world today. As well as what our role should be as followers of Jesus.